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MCA 50th Wordmark - White MCA Stories
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Lindy and Ed Bergman in 1984. Photo © MCA Chicago.

Strong Beginnings

Rhona Hoffman
Rhona Hoffman remembers early collectors critical to the MCA.
Collectors Curatorial

The Story of Stories

MCA Design, Publishing, and New Media
Video trailer for the museum's 50th anniversary MCA Stories project, containing video and images from five decades and the voices of friends, staff, and patrons.
1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Chicago Founders

To Be Determined

Cheryl Lynn Bruce
For the opening ceremony of the museum's 50th birthday weekend, Cheryl Lynn Bruce researched, wrote, and presented a "praise poem for the MCA."   TO BE DETERMINED by Cheryl Lynn. . . more
1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Chicago Avenue Founders Future Joe Shapiro Ontario Street
Valerie Scher, "The Art of Running a Museum," Parade, Jul 19, 1981. Courtesy of the MCA Library and Archives.

The First Woman Board President

Helyn Goldenberg
Running board meetings is hard enough. Being the only woman in the room was an added challenge for Helyn Goldenberg.
Board Community Firsts Founders Joe Shapiro Women
Installation view, Magdalena Abakanowicz, MCA Chicago, Nov 6, 1982–Jan 2, 1983. Photo © MCA Chicago.

The Avant-Garde Lives

Mary Jane Jacob
Former curator Mary Jane Jacob sells the board on a show by Magdalena Abakanowicz, an unknown artist whose name they couldn't pronounce.
1980s Artists Board Exhibitions
Joe Shapiro in his Oak Park home. Work shown: Enrico Baj, Punching General, 1969. Collection Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, gift of Joseph and Jory Shapiro, 1992.49. Photo © MCA Chicago.

Happy Birthday, Joe Shapiro!

Helyn Goldenberg, Robert Mayer, Lew Manilow, Marshall Holleb, Lindy Bergman, Jerry Stone, John D. Cartland, Paul Oliver-Hoffmann and Camille Oliver-Hoffmann
Board members and friends celebrate Joseph Randall Shapiro’s 85th birthday in this colorful video greeting.
1980s Board Community Founders Joe Shapiro
Installation view, Jesús Rafael Soto, MCA Chicago, Feb 13–Mar 28, 1971. Photo © MCA Chicago.

Art Should Be Fondled

Lew Manilow
Art should be critiqued and enjoyed.
Collection Founders
The museum at 237 E Ontario St. Photo © MCA Chicago.

Bakery + Town House = Museum

Laurence O. Booth
Laurence O. Booth explains the challenges of turning a town house into galleries.
1970s Accessibility Building Ontario Street
Alfredo Jaar, Guess Who Is Coming To Dinner, 1988. Duratrans and light box; 20 x 20 x 5 in. (50.8 x 50.8 x 12.7 cm). Collection Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Gerald S. Elliott Collection, 1995.48. Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago.

Courting the National Guard

Laurence O. Booth
Deciding to pursue the Chicago Avenue Armory, the MCA came up with a compelling reason for the National Guard to give up the site.
Board Building Chicago Avenue Move

One of My Biggest Supporters

Kerry James Marshall
Lew Manilow, a founding board member of the MCA, was one of Kerry's biggest supporters since the 1990s. 
1990s Artists Board Collectors Community
Judith Russi Kirshner. © MCA Chicago.

Chicago Citizens

Judith Kirshner
Judith Kirshner describes the generosity of early board members, including founding members Edwin and Lindy Bergman.
Board Chicago Collectors Community Founders
Installation view, Circus: The Caribbean Orange, MCA Chicago, Jan 28–Feb 13, 1978. Photo © MCA Chicago.

Too Dangerous

Judith Kirshner
Convincing trustees and the fire department to approve Gordon Matta-Clark’s project Circus: The Caribbean Orange proved difficult.
1970s Artists Controversies Exhibitions Ontario Street
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